SPEECH BY TAN ENG LIANG, CHAIRMAN, SPORTS COUNCIL AT THE OPENING OF THE MILO-ASCOTFIRST ASIAN JUNIORSQUASH TEAM CHAMPIONSHIPS AT THE EAST COAST CENTREON l FEB 83 AT 5.00 PM

1982 could be singled out as the watershed in development in Singapore. It was the year in which the Second world Junior Squash TeamChampionship was successfully held here. In more ways than one, squash in Singapore came of age with that championship and Singapore found itself in the record book of the International Squash Racquets Federation (ISRF) as a venue for a major international e-vent.

Soon after the staging of the world event, Singapore is pleased to have the opportunity to host the Kilo-Ascot First Asian Junior Squash TeamChampionships. I commendthe officials of both the Malaysian and Singapore Squash Associations for putting up a successful bid at the Asian Squash Federation meeting to stage the individual and team wonts, respectively. Owing to their far-sightedness, young squash players of now have a further avenuehone totheir skills under exacting conditions.

The World end Asian Junior Championships aside, the East Asia. Squash Championship is the most prestigious tournament in this region. Singapore has done exceptionally Well in this competition since its inception. Our players have been riding the crest of success and earning individual and team honours. With several wins to our credit, there is always the tendency to become complacent, especially when Singapore finds itself undisputed 2 champions. This complacency is reinforced by the fact that the Singapore players have seldom been seriously threatened by oppo- sition.

I wish to remind you of a truism in sport which says that it is harder to remain as champions than to become champions. It is always a difficult task to stay ahead of competitors in fitness? skills and experience because these factors are in constant flux.

Singapore had a head. start in squash in this region. The squash bug hit us earlier than our neighbouring countries. This head start allowed us to remain on top for a number of years. But I am afraid the advantages of this pole position are slowly being eroded. Interest in squash in East Asia has grown quickly and the gap in the standard of play between Singapore players and those in this region in being narrowed.

For example Malaysian under-19 squash players have improved tremendously over the last few years. Prior to 1981 there was hardly a Malaysian junior player capable of toppling a Singapore player. But times have changed. has now beaten Singapore twice since the annual competition between the two countries was inaugurated in 1981. Onlylast in year's World Junior Championship did Singapore salvage some pride when OUT team overcame Malaysia by a 3-0 margin.

With this in mind, 1983 is an good a time au any to take stock of our leadership position and strive to remain as squash champions. If we are not careful, our squash is in real danger of suffering the same fate that befell Singapore badminton more than two decades ago. At that time, Singapore produced some of the best badminton places in Asia and the would. But shuttlers in other countries learned quickly, sharponed their skills and finally overtook us in the very gamewe excelled. Once overtaken we were not able to catch up with the leaders. It is sad to say that we have yet to recover this lost position. Squash should learn from this setback that badminton experienced.

The Singapore Sports Council is concerned with the fast progress made by players in East Asia. The competition gets tougher each year. To help the Singapore Squash Racquets Asso- ciation, the Singapore Sports Council with a contribution of $20,000, has joined hands with Milo and Ascot to support the national squad training. The budget for this year's overall training comes to $80,000. The Singapore Sports Council is pleased that part of this money - about $50,000 - is being put to good use with the engagement of a full-time coach in Martin Webbof Wales. Besides trading, an East Asian tour will be organised to give deserting players more overseas exposure.. Nearly $16,000 have been set aside for this purpose

I would like to thank Milo and Ascot for sponsoring this championships to the tune of $35,000 etch. For the next few days we am going to witness squash of a high calibre. I wish all competing teams every Success. It is now my pleasure to declare the Milo-Ascot First Asian Junior Squash TeamChampionships open,